Light Boxes -- Pt. 1

 Hi ;

     Now here's one for you . Does anyone know what a light box is ? There's a simple answer . You will have heard of them if you know any Architects , Engineers or serious Designers . They are quite large for those folks usually 8" x 6 " ! This is easier than taping them to a window !

       What are they used for  ? Well , say you had a drawing and you wanted to see if changes you made would interfere with anything critical or structural . You would tape down your original drawing and then tape the new design on top of it .The light showing through from below would illuminate the drawings allowing you to see if you messed up or your idea is good to go .

      Now , the next question is critical . Want to make one ? Yeah , you can buy small ones at craft stores .I am not talking 16" x 16" . I am talking about say 24" x 36" in surface area . It's easier than you think . .Home Depot and Lowe's sell door frame , jamb material . It has grooves on the back- side of it .

      You Need two .They are 8'x 4"x 5/8" in size .Take them home and lay them out so after you cut your pieces you have an inside measurement of 24" x 36". Now lay out your parts and do this . Go Back to either store and buy some " Screen Door Plexiglass ". While you are there pick up Two of the 12 " Under counter flourescent light fixtures .Or get them at  Wal - Mart .

     Take all this and when you get home see if you have any old LUAN or other type of Thin plywood . No thicker than a door skin though . That's about 1/8  " to 3/16 "  thick . Now measure the distance from inside one of the grooves that will be present on all four sides .You must measure the distance top to bottom and side to side INSIDE the grooves . Why ? Well this is the size you will cut the Plexi and the Plywood .They will then become your top and bottom . I will leave you now . Once you have this done to this point Rest ! Think and Give thanks for being alive !    Tanker - Builder